The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance concluded successfully in Shanghai, with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) participating for the fourth consecutive year. Together with Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP), the HKTDC mounted the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, showcasing innovative solutions from 18 leading Hong Kong AI enterprises and institutions. The pavilion covered areas including intelligent robotics, smart city technologies, cybersecurity, and enterprise intelligence, demonstrating Hong Kong's strengths as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and its unique advantage as a bridge connecting China with global innovation resources.
Silas Chu, HKTDC Associate Executive Director (Technology and Digital Innovation), stated, "The HKTDC is committed to fostering the development of Hong Kong’s I&T and start-up ecosystem. Through various platforms, we actively help start-ups enhance their market visibility, expand into the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, and further promote Hong Kong’s I&T strengths." He emphasized that the HKTDC continues to facilitate participation in major international technology exhibitions, enabling deeper exchange and collaboration with global corporations, investors, research institutions, and business partners. "Through our participation in WAIC, we hope to showcase Hong Kong’s vibrant I&T ecosystem to a global audience and help bring more innovative solutions to international markets," Chu added.
On the first day of the conference, the HKTDC organized the Seminar on Fostering Economic Innovation and Global Collaboration through AI, bringing together representatives from government, research institutions, the financial sector, and I&T enterprises. The seminar discussed AI industrialization, real-world applications, governance, standards alignment, financial empowerment, and global expansion of Greater Bay Area AI enterprises. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivered opening remarks, stating, "The Hong Kong SAR Government is pressing ahead with transforming Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre, while building a robust, trustworthy, internationalized and sustainable AI ecosystem and proactively integrating into the national AI Plus initiative." He highlighted the unique advantages of "One Country, Two Systems" and the importance of deepening collaboration among government, industry, academia, research, and investment sectors.
Jacky Chung, HKTDC Associate Executive Director (Global Network and Supply Chain) and Director of Chinese Mainland, noted that President Xi Jinping's keynote speech emphasized jointly building a fair and equitable global AI governance framework. "As AI shifts from R&D breakthroughs towards large-scale industrial application, Hong Kong will leverage its unique strengths to contribute to the national 15th Five-Year Plan," Chung said. The HKTDC will continue to support Mainland AI enterprises in expanding into international markets, accelerate AI adoption across diverse application scenarios, and foster cross-border collaboration.
The HKTDC also organized business matching and networking activities, including a visit to a Shanghai-based business incubator on 16 July, a roundtable, and a networking dinner with enterprises from Shanghai’s Xuhui District. These activities facilitated connections between Hong Kong enterprises and Mainland I&T companies, investors, and industry representatives. Additionally, the My Favourite Start-up Award was presented to AI SEMI Limited, a HSITP start-up driven by AI-empowered semiconductor manufacturing innovation. The team comprised seasoned experts from the semiconductor and AI industries with decades of experience in Fab R&D and commercialization.
The HKTDC has been actively bringing Hong Kong enterprises to major international tech shows, following CES 2026 in Las Vegas, MWC and 4YFN in Barcelona, and Viva Technology in Paris. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at WAIC provided a platform for start-ups to showcase their technology solutions and connect with international investors. Since its inception, WAIC has brought together over 8,100 leading scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, becoming an important platform for advancing AI innovation, industrial collaboration, and global AI governance. This year's conference, under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future," brought together more than 1,100 companies and featured over 3,000 innovative products.
